Col. Murray Replies

Evidence of Bitter Feeling Towards Hasluck

r J I HE following arrived as this issue was going to press. Colonel Murray’s statement is much con densed.

As he has left the dignified position he hitherto maintained, and has entered the field of charge and counter-charge, some equally strong statements against him may be ex pected. They will be published next issue.

Meantime, this article should be read in conjunction with that on page 129.

Moresby. July 9

THE following are some of the points made in an outspoken statement by Colonel J. K.

Murray, retiring Administrator, be fore departing to-day for Brisbane on Bulolo: He forecast an early change of policy on native welfare, and greater control by Canberra.

Soon after taking over, the Men zies Government tried to remove him from office, and for the last year had subjected him to an or ganised war of nerves.

His regret at leaving was tem pered by relief in escaping “the motives, methods and manners of the Minister and some of his senior departmental officials.”

Missionaries of all denominations, and other sections had protested against the way his appointment was terminated—they could not see why Territories Administratorships should be made the perquisites of politicians.

“It appears that Prime Minister and Mr. Hasluck believe Adminis tration will be best provided here by the appointment of a person highly experienced in organising successful post-war election cam paigns.” Later, he said: “Mr. Cle land has my best wishes for the success of his administration during his period as Acting Administrator.”

He denied his own appointment was influenced in any way by poli tical connections. He had never been associated with politics. He had met E. J. Ward only once (in 1944, at Finschhafen) before he applied for the advertised position of Provisional Administrator. He met him next at his swearing-in.

He charged Mr. Hasluck with “unpardonable delays” in getting on with important administration matters, and mentioned the Land Titles Restoration Ordinance, ap pointment of Lands Commissioners, inauguration of Legislative Council, superannuation ordinance. dis allowances of certain ordinances.

He said the Minister “had bowed to pressure groups.”

He wholeheartedly agreed with

Sir Hubert Murray who had said the Territory was better off under Labour.

He believed that emphasis in ad ministration now would move away from native welfare to natural re sources and “this would be a dan gerous move.”

He charged the Government with failure to recognise that the basis of Territories development must be a guaranteed market for their pro ducts in Australia.

He urged that Canberra should give to the Administration a much greater measure of decentralised power.